Dispatches
The basic rules and methods of mosquito rearing (Aedes aegypti ) Hashmat Imam, Zarnigar, Ghulamuddin Sofi1, Seikh Aziz1 Departments of Preventive and Social Medicine, and 1Pharmacology, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
The rearing of Aedes mosquitoes is complex and demanding for several reasons. Aedes larvae are affected by temperature, density and available nutrition, mating is not necessarily accomplished naturally and females need a blood meal to develop eggs. The climate chambers where the mosquitoes are kept are warm and sweaty. Due to these tropical conditions the larvae develop fast and need to be cared for daily. The Laboratory of Entomology in National Institute of Malaria Research Bangalore has cultured different colonies of different vectors successfully. In this paper, we discuss different aspects off the rearing process which affect mosquito fitness and are of importance for the quality of fundamental and applied research.
Aedes, mosquito rearing, rearing process, vectors
under study as much as possible. A healthy insect colony does not only increase the possibilities for successful experiments in the field, it also reduces the chance of contradicting results. The quality of experimental insects can be influenced by population density, food availability, climatic conditions, etc., These factors can strongly influence the outcome of experiments and should therefore not be ignored.[2,3]
INTRODUCTION Aedes aegypti, a vector of dengue, is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical zones. About two‑thirds of the world’s population lives in areas infested with dengue vectors, mainly A. aegypti. Dengue viruses infect over 100 million people every year.[1] Possibilities to reduce dengue incidence are studied world‑wide. Vector control is one of the options, as interruption of transmission of dengue parasites is clearly the most effective disease control strategy. In laboratories, mosquito colonies are needed in order to conduct studies on vector biology, vector‑parasite interactions, insecticide susceptibility, vaccine studies etc., For this reason it is important to maintain the original gene pool, physiological and behavioral characteristics of the insects
THE STUDY The Aedes mosquito rearing at National Institute of Unani Medicine Bangalore takes place in culture rooms that simulate natural climatic conditions. Temperature is set at 27°C ± 2°C and relative humidity at 75% ± 5% respectively. Temperature and humidity controls are probably the most important factors in the successful rearing of mosquitoes. The simplest method of providing regulated heat and humidity is the use of a small electric light bulb and a wet towel draped over the cage. The most elaborate is a complex environmental chamber with programmed electronic controls of temperature, humidity and photoperiod. The size of the insectary will regulate the type of temperature and humidity control system required. The photoperiod and light intensity affect the development of the various stages in the life cycle of the mosquito and is the subject of a great many papers. In the insectary, a cycle of 14 h of light and 10 h of darkness appears to allow the best and most uniform development.[4,5]
Address for correspondence Dr. Hashmat Imam, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. E‑mail: [email protected] Access this article online Quick Response Code:
Website: www.tropicalparasitology.org DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.129167
Tropical Parasitology
53
Jan 2014 | Volume 4 | Issue 1 |
Imam, et al.: Mosquito rearing methods
Eggs are collected on moist filter paper. A small bowel is lined with a 3″ wide strip of filter paper. Water is added to a depth of 2.5 cm. The container is then placed in a cage of adults, the egg collecting container is left in the cage for 48 h. The bowel is removed and any excess water is drained out of the bowel. The egg paper is allowed to remain an additional 24 h in the cage, then removed and air dried for 4 days then stored by placing them in a large sealed plastic container. The eggs are hatched in deoxygenated. The water temperature should be 27°C (80°F). The larvae hatch in 6‑12 h. approximately 70‑95% hatch is expected on eggs that are
The basic rules and methods of mosquito rearing (Aedes aegypti ) Hashmat Imam, Zarnigar, Ghulamuddin Sofi1, Seikh Aziz1 Departments of Preventive and Social Medicine, and 1Pharmacology, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
The rearing of Aedes mosquitoes is complex and demanding for several reasons. Aedes larvae are affected by temperature, density and available nutrition, mating is not necessarily accomplished naturally and females need a blood meal to develop eggs. The climate chambers where the mosquitoes are kept are warm and sweaty. Due to these tropical conditions the larvae develop fast and need to be cared for daily. The Laboratory of Entomology in National Institute of Malaria Research Bangalore has cultured different colonies of different vectors successfully. In this paper, we discuss different aspects off the rearing process which affect mosquito fitness and are of importance for the quality of fundamental and applied research.
Aedes, mosquito rearing, rearing process, vectors
under study as much as possible. A healthy insect colony does not only increase the possibilities for successful experiments in the field, it also reduces the chance of contradicting results. The quality of experimental insects can be influenced by population density, food availability, climatic conditions, etc., These factors can strongly influence the outcome of experiments and should therefore not be ignored.[2,3]
INTRODUCTION Aedes aegypti, a vector of dengue, is widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical zones. About two‑thirds of the world’s population lives in areas infested with dengue vectors, mainly A. aegypti. Dengue viruses infect over 100 million people every year.[1] Possibilities to reduce dengue incidence are studied world‑wide. Vector control is one of the options, as interruption of transmission of dengue parasites is clearly the most effective disease control strategy. In laboratories, mosquito colonies are needed in order to conduct studies on vector biology, vector‑parasite interactions, insecticide susceptibility, vaccine studies etc., For this reason it is important to maintain the original gene pool, physiological and behavioral characteristics of the insects
THE STUDY The Aedes mosquito rearing at National Institute of Unani Medicine Bangalore takes place in culture rooms that simulate natural climatic conditions. Temperature is set at 27°C ± 2°C and relative humidity at 75% ± 5% respectively. Temperature and humidity controls are probably the most important factors in the successful rearing of mosquitoes. The simplest method of providing regulated heat and humidity is the use of a small electric light bulb and a wet towel draped over the cage. The most elaborate is a complex environmental chamber with programmed electronic controls of temperature, humidity and photoperiod. The size of the insectary will regulate the type of temperature and humidity control system required. The photoperiod and light intensity affect the development of the various stages in the life cycle of the mosquito and is the subject of a great many papers. In the insectary, a cycle of 14 h of light and 10 h of darkness appears to allow the best and most uniform development.[4,5]
Address for correspondence Dr. Hashmat Imam, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. E‑mail: [email protected] Access this article online Quick Response Code:
Website: www.tropicalparasitology.org DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.129167
Tropical Parasitology
53
Jan 2014 | Volume 4 | Issue 1 |
Imam, et al.: Mosquito rearing methods
Eggs are collected on moist filter paper. A small bowel is lined with a 3″ wide strip of filter paper. Water is added to a depth of 2.5 cm. The container is then placed in a cage of adults, the egg collecting container is left in the cage for 48 h. The bowel is removed and any excess water is drained out of the bowel. The egg paper is allowed to remain an additional 24 h in the cage, then removed and air dried for 4 days then stored by placing them in a large sealed plastic container. The eggs are hatched in deoxygenated. The water temperature should be 27°C (80°F). The larvae hatch in 6‑12 h. approximately 70‑95% hatch is expected on eggs that are
